NASHVILLE, Tenn. – On Monday night, head football coach Rod Reed spoke to the Tennessee State community about the issue of male violence directed at females.

The event took place at 7 p.m. in Kean Hall and Reed was part of a panel of six guests that condemned forceful acts towards women.

“The most important thing is educating people about the dangers of domestic violence,” Reed said. “I have two daughters that are the most precious thing in the world to me, so I think about them and teach my players that ‘there is no reason that you should put your hands on a female.’”

Reed was introduced by the track team’s Michael Johnson, and in addition to giving his stance on the subject, also offered up a solution.

“What I would challenge everyone to do is be accountable and hold each other accountable. If you can stand up and tell one of your peers that what they are doing is wrong then a lot of the issues can be negated,” Reed said.

The head coach left the student-athlete heavy audience with this:

“Don’t let sports define what you are as a person. You character should decide who you are.”